10/06/2004: "Gay ideology trumpeted, even when irrelevant"

The Rev. Susan Russell, head of the Episcopal gay advocacy organization Integrity, has written an e-mail to Target, the department store chain. In January, Target decided to prohibit the Salvation Army from setting up Christmas kettles in front of their stores, saying that they couldn't continue to give the SA an exemption to their no-solicitation rule considering the increasing number of organizations that were asking for exemptions. I don't agree with that decision, but it has a reasonable basis. Russell, however, with her highly developed activist tunnel vision, congratulates Target on their decision for reasons that have nothing to do with company policy, and everything to do with her own agenda:

I just want to commend your company for taking a stand for justice in your decision to decline access to your stores to the Salvation Army for their solicitation drive over the holidays. It is with mixed feelings that I offer this commendation: knowing that the Salvation Army does important and needed ministry with so many of the least fortunate. However, the fact that that ministry is mixed with an aggressively discriminatory policy against gay and lesbian people makes it problematic for many of us who believe God's love includes all people...and that "liberty and justice for all" in this country actually MEANS "all." [Ellipses in original]

Pity Russell doesn't really believe in "liberty for all," namely, the liberty to dissent from revisionist orthodoxy and uphold historic orthodoxy. I also wonder how she can say it's a "stand for justice" when 1) it was done for a reason that had nothing to do with her favorite cause, and 2) may result in some of the "least fortunate" not receiving help they need because the Salvation Army is unable to get as much out of the kettle solicitation as they normally do. Finally, I like the point made by Greg Griffith on his site Stand Firm: "It would be interesting to hear how Russell squares her support for depriving the Salvation Army of funds because of its stance on homosexuality, with her disdain for those who don't wish to support ECUSA's homosexual agenda with their pledges." I don't imagine she'd even try�knowing she's on the side of the angels in trying to force every religious organization to conform to her new sexual orthodoxy, she has no need to justify the means or be consistent in their application. Only the cause matters.

(Hat tip: Uncle Dino.)